Associate Director, Future United Nations Development System (Future UN)

International Chair, World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR)

Former Head - Media and Communications, South Centre, Geneva

Founder: DigitalGovernance.org DevNetJobs.org INSouth.org

homepage: www.VikasNath.orgEmail:
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Digital Governance aims to study, design and propagate electronic governance (e-gov) models. The focus of the initiative is on developing countries where ICTs can play a significant role in building accountable and democratic governance institutions. What is required is strategic application of knowledge and innovative use of available technology to provide good governance for all, and especially those who have been marginalised of its benefits.

The initiative aims to inspire the youths, policymakers, NGOs, UN, private sector and other development agents to think innovatively and set up appropriate e-governance models. It also hopes to inspire youths to engage with Governments, work with them, and not distance themselves from it.

Good governance is the most important public good that governments can offer to its citizens. It is the fundamental reason why we have governments and we agree to abide by rules and responsibilities which comes under different forms of governance.

Good governance ensures that we can enjoy our fundamental right to live with dignity, freedom and security, and take advantage of opportunities and services available to lead good quality of lives. Services such as rule of law, universal primary health and primary education, targeted government programmes and levitra compared to cialis subsidies can enhance welfare of people in any country.

Yet large sections of people, especially in developing countries remain poor and marginalised. They continue to be exploited, fail to get value for their labour and do not have the opportunities to escape the cycle of poverty. They become victims of bad governance. The governance services are non-existent for them or where they do, corruption, bureaucracy, and political motives make the services unorganised and ineffective.

A vicious loop occurs: the impact of poor governance is felt disproportionately by the poor, the unorganised and those who do not have means to access services from alternate channels.In turn, this further diminishes the opportunities available to the poor to break from the cycle of poverty, exploitation and marginalisation.

Against this backdrop and belief, the DigitalGovernance.org initiative was founded to understand how information and communications technology (ICT) can bring good governance to people living in developing countries and improve their lives. How can ICTs deliver governance services to people who need them the most? How can we target these services so that they meet the specific needs of people? How can we push these technologies so that they can produce and shape public goods which benefit everyone, and are available at all times, and at all places?